Shoe-stretcher



LA. SCHULZ.

SHOE STRETCHER. I APPLICATION FILED OCT-201 1920.

1,387,516. PatehtedAug.16,1921.

. [I] 'INVENTOR.

wrammi ATTORNEY.

r JOHN soHnLa-on BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

I snon s'rnn'rcnnn.

specificationof Letters-Patent. Batentgd Aug 16 192 1 Applicationfiled October-20, 1920. Serial No. 418,232.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known' that L. JOHN A. ScHULZ; a citizen of the United States, and resident of. Baltimore, inthe county of Baltimore and State of'Maryland have invented new and useful Improvements in Shoe Stretchers, of wh chthe following s a speclfication.

This inventionrelatesto an improvement in" shoe stretchers. v

The object of the invention is to provide a device in thefornrof a last adaptedto fit a;

shoe or boot and having a plurality of open, ings or holes in the upper surface thereof in which a buttonorv buttons may be inserted and having means movably mounted within the device for forcing. the buttons outwardly for the purpose of forming a pocket in the shoe or boot at the place where the shoe or boot is to be eased or stretched.

The invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combination of parts which will be hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1, is a top plan view of theinvention; I

Fig. 2, is a longitudinal vertical sectional View; and j I Fig. 3, is. a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 3-3,-of Fig. 2. v

The last 1, consists of a hollow metallic body which is adapted to, be constructed to fit a shoe or boot of a desired last. For in- "stance, the last might be constructed to fit all shoes or boots of the size known as 0 last.

The upper surface of the last is provided with a plurality of holes 2, which are located about the entire body or upper surface of the last so that the shoe may be stretched at any point.

Mounted upon the base or bottom 3, of the last is an inclined platform 4:. The platform slopes from the toe toward the heel or rear end of the last.

Mounted within the last and adapted to slide upon the inclined platform 4- is a wedge member 5 which is constructed of metal and is hollow. The wedge member is much smaller than the last and is made to conform to the shape of the last and especially is this true of the upper surface 6 of the member 5, which is convex and tapers to the forward end thereof. The base of the wedge the platform 4., These lips are adapted to .be'bent downwardly and overlap or lie upon theinner surface; of the bottom or base of the-wedge member. thereby forming guides;

for the wedge'm'ember as itis moved length 186' of the last.

A shaft 9 is screw-threaded as at 10 at its forward end and has screw-threadedengage mcnt with the rearend ll ofthelast l. The upper or forward end of the shaft is reduced and received in slot or opening 12 1n therear end the wedge 5., and has its ex! treme outer end upset to form a; positive con:

nection with the wedge member 5 so that/as the shaft is'rotated the wedgeamemberwill be caused to be moved last 1. 7

When the shoe is to be stretched for the purpose of easing the shoe at some particular point whereit binds the foot of the wearer,

lengthwise of the as on a corn or bunion, a button 13 having a shank 14: is employed.

The shanklt is inserted in one of the openings 2 so that it will be positioned to stretch the shoe at the place desired. Then the wedge member 5 is caused to be moved lengthwise of the last or toward the toe portionthereof and as the wedge is caused to travel forward the shank 1. of the button 13 will be engaged'by the upper surg V wedge member 5 is moved until the button has been forced outwardly sufiiciently far to'produce the desired stretching or easing of the shoe or boot when the last will be allowed to remain in the shoe for a certain period until the desired stretching of the shoe has been obtained. After the shoe has been stretched the shaft 9 is again rotated but in an opposite direction for the purpose of retracting the wedge member 5 and allowing the button to again rest upon the upper surface of the last 1 so that the last and button may be removed from the shoe.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by employing more than one button the shoe may be stretched at several places and that it is possible to stretch the shoe at yarious points throughout the length'of theopening and causing the wedge member to i be moved into engagement with the shank of the button to cause the button to be moved outwardly and into engagementwith the shoe.

Having described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: a

1. A shoe stretcher consisting of a hollow last having holes formed in the bot y thereof for the reception of a button shank,

a Wedge member movably mounted within ,thereof for the reception of a button shank,

a Wedge member movably mounted within 7 wedge member lengthwise of the last and the last and having a tapered convex upper surface conforming to the contour of the outer surface of the last whereby the button shank may be engaged Wherever located on the body of the last, means for moving the means for causing the wedge member to be fed toward the upper surface of the last.

As'hOe-Stretcher'.comprising a last havingholes formed in the upper surface thereof for the reception of a button shank, an inclined support formed in the last, a Wedge member received in the last and having an inclinedlower surface engaging the inclined support, said wedge member adapted to be moved lengthwise of the support, and means for o crating the wedge member.

4. shoe stretcher comprising a lasthaving holes. formed in the upper surfacethereof for the reception of a button shank a wedge member slidably mounted in the last, an inclined support formed in the last for causing the wedge member to be moved to- Ward the upper surface of the last to ena' gage the button shank, means on the in clined support for guiding the wedge momber in its movement, and means for operating the wedge member.

JOHN A; .soHL Lz. j 

